Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Apr 1: People of seventh ward in Kody within the local municipal limits are a harassed lot. After a long delay, works worth over Rs 80 lac had been executed there four years back with a view to stop saline water from entering their fields. But after four years since, more than 50 acres of agricultural fields continue to be submerged in sea water. In total, the entire money spent on these works has drowned.

People living in Kody were destined to spend their lives in the midst of salty water since the last several decades. Their long wait and prayers seemed to have been answered four years ago, when revetment costing about Rs 40 lac and canal to stop salty water from seeping into their fields were sanctioned. The farmers were ecstatic, sensing an opportunity to undertake agricultural activities in their fields.

However, because the works executed were substandard to say the least, within a year the works began to crumble. Stones used for revetment are falling apart and getting washed away, and whenver there is high tide, sea water enters the agricultural fields. Salt water enters the canals meant to stop it, and then gushes into the fields. As such, over 50 acres of farm land remains inundated under sea water since the last four years.

Because saline water enters fields on a day-to-day basis, well water has also become salty now, creating drinking water crisis. The municipality too has not provided drinking water facility in Kody. The people of seventh ward at Kody have become directionless about their future as a result.

Repeated approaches to municipal officials on this issue have not resulted in any gains. This area is represented by three municipal councillors but people say that they have not been throbbing to the problems of the locals. A common reply people get whenever they approach the concerned is that the government is facing funds crunch now, they say. Farmers, who are not getting any help or relief, hope that the district deputy commissioner will intervene in the matter and do something to find a lasting solution to their woes.